All about Powerline Adapters - [Internet through socket]

If you are tired of having to run cables through your home or have difficulty finding a cord that is long enough, then a powerline adapter could be the solution for you.

What is a powerline adapter? A powerline adapter extends your internet's range by using the household's electricity network. These adapters are available either with cable or with built-in WiFi. They are useful in homes where it is difficult to run cables for connection.

Want to learn more about powerline adapters, including their features, compatibility, and more? Then read along here!

How a Powerline Adapter works

A powerline adapter works in the same way as a WiFi extender, but instead of extending the WiFi signal, it uses the household electricity network to extend the Internet connection. That way, you can get internet through your sockets, even where the WiFi signal cannot reach.

When you set up powerline adapters, you receive a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter device have to be connected to your router and a power outlet, while the receiving device only should be connected to a power outlet.

After this, the powerline adapter can transmit the internet signal, so you can access where the signal is weak.

It is important to remember that the powerline adapter only works within the same mains and circuit.

Advantages and disadvantages of Powerline Adapters

There can be several reasons why you need a powerline adapter.

This may be due to a poor wireless connection, challenges with running cables through the living room to e.g. a more distant room or the like.

By plugging a powerline adapter into an outlet, you turn it into a network connection.

This means you can have a wired internet connection in any room as long as it is on the same electrical circuit and the powerline adapter is nearby.

This solution can improve your Internet connection, especially if the signal from your router does not reach all parts of your home sufficiently well.

A powerline adapter is necessary if you want to improve and stabilize your Internet connection to devices, such as your computer or TV, without having to run cables throughout the home.

Although a powerline adapter is convenient, it unfortunately also has some disadvantages. If you can accept them, a powerline adapter is a useful tool to avoid those pesky cables.

Powerline Adapter with WiFi

The latest versions of powerline adapters not only work with cables, but can also act as a kind of WiFi extender to some extent.

However, it differs slightly from a typical WiFi extender, in that a powerline adapter extends the signal via the home's electrical network and creates a new WiFi signal elsewhere in the home.

The setup is the same as with a regular wired powerline adapter.

In this way, you can get a powerline adapter with both WiFi and cable, which means that you no longer need to run cables through the room.

This allows you to enjoy the improved Internet connection both with and without cable

WiFi through the electrical network

Powerline adapters use a different technology than WiFi extenders. They take advantage of your home's electrical system to transfer the internet signal from one powerline adapter to another.

However, it is important to note that the WiFi connection can be affected by the home's electrical system, as well as the distance between powerline adapters.

If you live in an older home or a complex such as an apartment, it may be advantageous to invest in a powerline adapter with a high Mbps to ensure the best possible connection speed.

Some models of powerline adapters also work as regular WiFi extenders.

Powerline Adapter for Gaming

When playing computer games, a reliable and stable internet connection is essential.

A powerline adapter can ensure you a stable connection, as it enables cable connection throughout the house via the same electrical network and circuit.

When using a powerline adapter for gaming, it is expected that you already have a good internet speed.

However, it is important to note that since the powerline adapter is an external device, there may be a loss of speed as well as minor fluctuations in speed, just as can occur with WiFi connections.

Powerline Adapter vs WiFi Extender

A powerline adapter extends the wired connection in your home using your electricity network, while a WiFi extender, on the other hand, repeats the WiFi signal.

If you are having trouble deciding whether to choose a powerline adapter or a WiFi extender, below you will find a list of factors that can help you make the right decision.

That is why you must have a Powerline Adapter:

• It has a sender and receiver (the sender works a bit like a router)
• A stable wired connection
• Runs over the electricity network
• Good solution at a long distance
• Work very well with a relatively new electrical installation
• Solves the problem with cables through the home
• Can also function as a WiFi extender and powerline adapter

That is why you must have a WiFi Extender:

• Strengthens your wireless network
• Spreads the signal further into the home
• No restriction on where the WiFi extender can be placed
• You can have as many as you need
• You usually only need 1-3 WiFi extenders
• Easy setup
• Easy change of location
• They are available for outdoor use
• Can reach more than 70 meters
• Available as dual band (both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
• Many can also be used with cable
• It does not necessarily have to be placed in the room where you use WiFi the most
• Place in a location where it can strengthen the network in a larger area where WiFi is often used

Disadvantages of WiFi extender:

• Cannot deliver more Mbps than your original internet connection
• Only works as an extension of your own WiFi network
• Some require internet cable to relay WiFi

A WiFi extender is also called a WiFi repeater, WiFi amplifier, WiFi booster, signal amplifier for WiFi, network amplifier, WiFi Access Point and internet amplifier. 

A powerline adapter is ideal for gaming as it extends the internet via cables and ensures a more stable internet connection than a WiFi extender.

A WiFi extender, on the other hand, is better if you don't need cables, but just want to extend the range of your WiFi, e.g. if you want internet coverage outdoors.

If you only want to use WiFi and don't want cables, then WiFi extenders are the best choice. If, on the other hand, you need a wired connection, a powerline adapter ensures the most stable connection.